SB152 Summary

• Makes it unlawful to knowingly obtain public assistance through false statements, misrepresentation, impersonation, or failure to disclose material facts or changes in circumstances affecting eligibility under any state or federally funded program.

• Criminalizes fraudulent use, transfer, or possession of food assistance cards, authorizations, Medicaid cards, and certificates of eligibility; filing false claims for services; and billing recipients for amounts exceeding those provided by law.

• Establishes penalties of Class C felony for violations totaling $200 or more in any 12 consecutive months, and Class A misdemeanor for violations under $200 in any 12 consecutive months.

• Requires state agencies administering public assistance to create fraud-prone case profiles within information systems and conduct pre-eligibility fraud screening on all applications for food assistance, Medicaid, temporary cash assistance, and public housing.

• Amends Section 13A-8-10 of Alabama Code to remove the requirement that a person committing theft of services must know the services were available only for compensation, and becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage.